David Bernard Snr, head coach of beaten Senior Cup finalist Kensington, lamented his team's poor batting display that allowed Hanover to score a dramatic 40-run win at Sabina Park last weekend.

"We never batted as how we should have," Bernard said. "And after a start of 80 and then at one stage we're 127 for two, our batsmen never really apply themselves."

Kensington were in a very strong position at 95-2 at the end of day one after Hanover posted 197. But they returned on the second and final day to a sensational collapse, falling 24 runs short of Hanover's first-innings tally.

More drama unfolded when Hanover, batting a second time, were blown away for an even hundred, setting Kensington a tricky 125 to win from a maximum 17 overs. Needing to score at seven runs an over, Kensington succumbed to the mounting pressure and were bowled out for 80 with nine balls remaining as the Hanovarians prevailed in the thrilling final.

"The second innings was a great opportunity to get the match...but we approached the game in a mad rush. I never envisaged our batsmen approaching the game like that. We talked about the strategy approaching these types of scores, but temperamentally they were found wanting," Bernard told Sporting World.

A bout of chickenpox ruled Kensington's top batsman Upston Edwards out of the final and his absence was a significant loss, Bernard believes.

"He would have made an impact because he's the sort of player who relishes these sort of situations," Bernard said of Edwards, who performed a rescuing act with an unbeaten century in the semi-finals against St Ann.

"He played a tremendous innings in the semi-finals and he was sadly missed in this game," added Bernard.
With Hanover gaining automatic promotion to next year's Super League, Kensington must now defeat Westmoreland in a play-off to determine the eighth and final team for the top flight semi-pro league.

However, Bernard argued that the play-off could be more difficult than ever.

"They'll have to learn fast and I don't know how they're going to deal with it because it's disappointing after playing so well coming right up. But you'll have to say that we are at a disadvantage because our top players are not here, considering that we lack experience when the crunch time comes," he said.

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